Zion the centre of full unlooked-for glory

The heart of the godly now finds its centre in Zion, when
deliverance has been learnt; for so it will be (compare Isaiah 29:
4,7). How low she was brought, according to Psalm 124! (Isaiah 29:
4. Compare Isaiah 17: 12-14, and other passages). It was a dream so
full, so unlooked-for, the joy. The very heathen now owned Jehovah's
hand. But the godly look for the full blessing, and the captivity to
be turned again in the fulness of possessed blessing. Still God had
manifested Himself; and to the faithful, who had taken up His
testimony in sorrow, and when it was shame and reproach, it was now
a harvest of joy. So it ever is; for full joy only comes through
sorrow: for the testimony of God is in a world of evil.